Essay Notes

Essay Notes

Notes on Thesis/Claim StatementsIt is your main claim that you are going to prove in your essay.All your evidence (quotes and summaries) and ideas MUST support this statement.It needs to have a limited topic and a blue print or the three main ideas or points you are going to discuss.Do not use I in this statement. State it like a fact: Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz, is an example of a strong, determined character because she never gives up, displays courage in frightening situations, and looks for the good in other people.All topic and conclusion sentences MUST connect back to this statement.

Outline NotesAll writing is phrases EXCEPT: the thesis/claim statement and the topic and concluding sentencesParagraphs are numbered using Roman Numerals: 1=I, 2=II, 3=III, 4=IV, 5=VFor every A there MUST be B and for every 1 there MUST be a 2

Harvard OutlineI. Introduction *Motivator (hook, attention getter) *Background Information *Transition and Thesis/Claim Statement (complete sentence)II. Transition and First main point Topic Sentence (complete sentence) A. Transition with first supporting idea 1. Set up quote - when did it happen or who said it 2. Evidence (citation line number) 3. Connect the quote to the topic how does this quote prove your idea? B. Transition with second supporting detail 1. Set up quote - when did it happen or who said it 2. Evidence (citation line number)3 3. Connect the quote to the topic how does this quote prove your idea? C. Transition with third supporting detail 1. Set up quote - when did it happen or who said it 2. Evidence (citation line number) 3. Connect the quote to the topic how does this quote rove your idea? D. Transitions and concluding Sentence (complete sentence)III. Transition Second main point (same as II)IV. Transition Third main point (same as II)V. Conclusion *Transition and Topic Sentence (complete sentence) *Reworded Thesis *Summarize essays overall message

Notes on Introductions:You need to have ALL of the following in your introduction:A Motivator. Attention Getter, or HookDO NOT start with a questionMotivators should be 3 to 5 sentences longMotivators should NOT discuss Odysseus start broad and narrow the topicUse one of the types of motivators on your handoutBackground InformationInclude the author and title of the work (background)Define a modern or classic heroThesis or Claim StatementMUST have a clear thesis/claim statement with a blueprintIntroduction should be 6 to 7 sentences long.

Notes on body paragraphs:Use transitions or segways at the beginning of each body paragraph and between each example. (see your handout)There should be clear topic and concluding sentences that tie to your claim statement.Be careful not to tell the story.All verbs should be in present tense (makes not made, goes not went)Evidence should be in chronological order within each paragraph.Do NOT use 1st or 2nd person (I, you, we, our, us, etc).Do NOT use contractions (can't, don't, etc)Look at your word choice - no slang words (stuff, wanna, gonna, kid, thing, awesome, guys, etc.)Do not use trite phrases (This essay is going, These are some examples of, Im going to tell you, this quote shows etc)Make sure you explain the CONNECTION of the quote to the thesis/claim statement (How is the quote supporting your idea?)When typing The Odyssey, it should be italicized only no underline

Conclusion NotesMust start with a transition or transitional phrase DO NOT use In conclusion be creativeBriefly summarize the main point(s) of the essayRestate your thesis without being repetitiveTie back to your motivatorIt needs to be longer than two or three sentencesDo not bring in any new ideasShould have a sense of closure

These two may be combined

MLA Format NotesThe whole essay should be double spacedFont is 12pt. Times New RomanThe following information goes in the upper left hand corner: NameTeachers name Class title DateTitle is centered, also in 12 pt font. DO NOT underline or bold itHave a clever title NOT The OdysseyUse 1 inch marginsFirst citation should include the authors last name (Homer 689). All other citations are just the page number (709).All pages need your last name and the page number in the top right hand corner. ex. Drain 2

Example: Smith 1Suzie SmithMrs. DrainFreshman LiteratureDecember 25, 2025A Hero in Disguise